The Ballad of the Fair of Turloughmore (1843)

Sarah Hession

Sarah Hession is a professional vocalist from Galway and has recently graduated with a degree in Music Performance from Essex University. She completed a one year course in Musical Theatre prior to her degree. Sarah is also an experienced & qualified vocal coach with extensive experience in teaching within the performance industry. Along with teaching & performing, Sarah finds time to direct and conduct the Youth Gospel Choir in Lackagh Village. To hear more of Sarah's beautiful music

The Ballad Poetry of Ireland Review

The Spectator Newspaper published a review of The Ballad Poetry of Ireland in 1845. It features some interesting comments on the above ballad!

THE SORROWFUL LAMENTATION OF CALLAGHAN, GREALLY, AND MULLEN, KILLED AT THE FAIR OF TURLOUGHMORE.

• STREET BALLAD

This is a genuine ballad of the people, written and sung among them. The reader will see at once how little resemblance it bears to the pseudo Irish songs of the stage, or even to the street ballads manufactured by the ballad-singers. It is very touching, and not without a certain unpremeditated grace. The vagueness which leaves entirely untold the story it undertook to recount, is a common characteristic of the Anglo-Irish songs of the people. The circumstance on which it Is founded took place two years ago, at the fair of Derrymacloughny held at Turloughmore.

A faction-fight having occurred at the fair, the arrest of some of the parties led to an attack on the police ; atter the attack had abated or ceased, the police fired on the people, wounded several, and killed the three men whose names stand at the head of the ballad. They were Indicted for murder, and pleaded the order of Mr Brew the Stipendiary Magistrate ; which was admitted as justification. Brew died before the day appointed for his trial.